However, what they now need to do is follow up on the rave reviews with actual stock in the channel and a massive marketing push. Without those two things the HD 4770 may only be remembered as a footnote in the history of discreet graphics cards.

Demand is high, stock is tight, ATi is having trouble filling all the orders. ATi has alocated the 4770 GPU to laptops first and foremost, with the desktop space second fyi.

To compensate/apologize for the lack of stock, they reduced the MSRP of the 4850 to the same level/price of the 4770. My understanding is, they didn't expect the 4770 sale to usurp 4850/4830 sales so quickly. Its not the best solution, but at least they *are* providing a decent solution with the 4850 price drop to 4770 levels.